Who We Are

The Sportfishing Conservancy's Mission

Recognizing that with privilege comes responsibility, the mission of the Sportfishing Conservancy is to empower sportsmen to fulfill and celebrate their commitment to their sport and to the real world conservation.

SPORTFISHING CONSERVANCY

The Sanctuary Classic is a free recreational fishing and photography contest in celebration of America’s national marine sanctuaries and conservation-based fishing practices. This event is co-sponsored by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

The Sanctuary Classic is joint effort of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries and The Sportfishing Conservancy. We believe recreational fishing is an important part of the social, economic and community fabric of our national and we support recreational anglers who follow sustainable fishing conservation guidelines.

Where and when does it take place?

The Sanctuary Classic is held in 13 national marine sanctuaries and begins on Saturday June 7, 2014 – World Oceans Day and runs until Sept. 2, 2014- Labor Day.

How does the contest work?

Simply take pictures of your fishing fun in any of our great national marine sanctuaries, then register and enter your photos online at www.sanctuaryclassic.org. Weekly winners will be selected by a small panel of judges that best represent the theme of the Sanctuary Classic- youth fishing, youth and family fishing values, and enjoyment and respect of sanctuary waters.

What can I win?

The first 20 photos submitted each week will win a Guy Harvey t-shirt. Each week, the picture that best represents the Sanctuary Classic will win a weekly prize (will vary week to week). At the end of the contest (Sept.2) 8 photos will be selected to win a $500 Guy Harvey Youth Scholarship.

What happens to my photos?

Photos can only be submitted online and participants must waive their rights to their photos, which may be used in future materials by The Sportfishing Conservancy or NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Where do I go to register and get more information?

The Sportfishing Conservancy Survey

Please take a few moments to share your fishing experience with us. Your answers will help in providing a more accurate picture of what we do, how, when and where we do it. Your results will be bundled with all others, then shared with you along with other participants. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is concerned about the drop in fishing license sales and we are looking for baseline information before seeking solutions to this. Your answers will remain anonymous.